Introduction

Hello again fellow league players. I'm KINGPUDDING and I have taken on the task of making a Galio guide. I really enjoy Galio as a champion for many reason which I will discuss in detail through this guide. I will go over everything there is to know about our stone friend Galio. My goals for this guide are:

Galio is an AP off-tank specializing in magic resist. Riot labels him as a Tank,Support,Melee. I personally label him as AP off-tank,Mage, and Anti-carry. He is underplayed as a champion even during free weeks. But even though he isn't played much, doesn't mean he isn't a force to be feared.

Bibliography of terms

Tank: any character who can take a hit
Support: mainly is in BOT lane helping the ADC score kills and harass enemy
Melee: any character that doesn't hit with a ranged attack
AP off-tank: A tank that can deal AP damage decently
AP: any character who does the most damage through their spells
Mage: will usually be found in MID lane
Anti-carry: a character that is strong against high damage dealers.
Ult: this is your move in the R key spot such as Highlander on Master Yi.
Gank: getting surprise attacked by one or more opponents usually by jungler
Jungler: starts in the jungle and ganks lanes

Lore

Long before the League's regulation of such magic, mages experimented with the creation of artificial life. Now forbidden, instilling golems with reason was once not so uncommon a practice amongst the more expert of craftsmen. One such visionary was the Demacian artificer, Durand. Peerless at crafting sentient beings, Durand's constructs served as tireless guardians for the border towns of his beloved city-state, affording them protection from their Noxian neighbors. For his own defense, however, Durand kept his magnum opus: Galio. This mighty construct - forged in the image of a gargoyle - kept him safe on his journeys, allowing him to perform his important work without fear of reprisal from those hostile to his homeland. That is, until dealing with his taxing sentinels finally roused the ire of the Noxian High Command.

As Durand crossed the Howling Marsh with his masterwork in tow, he was set upon by Noxian assassins in force. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Galio looked on in horror as the murderers cut down his charge, executing him swiftly before vanishing back into the mists. Stripped of his reason for being, Galio despaired. For years he remained in solitude, standing vigil over the bones of the master he had failed to protect... a literal monument to his own everlasting shame. Then, one nondescript day, a sad but determined yordle girl carrying a mighty Demacian crown stopped in the shadow of a great statue to rest. Hidden in plain sight from his unsuspecting visitor, Galio studied the forlorn yordle. She looked as though she too shouldered a tremendous burden. As quietly and as stoically as she had arrived, she departed in the direction of Demacia. This encounter lit a spark in Galio's eye. Remembering the cause that his master had died defending, Galio arose from his silent purgatory and followed in the wake of this brave creature. He had a new reason to live: to join the League of Legends and fight for the will of Demacia.

''There is no such thing as redemption. Only penance.'' Galio

Pro's and Con's

Pro's

Crazy farmer late game

Hit's enemies very hard

Good starting amount of AP due to passive

Low cool downs

Crowd control

Speed up

Tanky

Can carry

Strong mid lane counter

Very adaptable

Con's

Really mana hungry

Slow

usually will die after using ult

Easily ganked

Falls off late game

Needs to be accurate with skill shots

Melee

Lack of gap closer

Enemies with tenacity can escape his ult

Ultimate can be interrupted

The Two Types of Galio

AP-mid Galio:

This is the first build you will see and allows him to remain tanky while dealing out quite a bit of damage.I recommend maxing your Q first then your E then R then W. He can carry in this form making him a force to be reckoned with.

Support Galio:

It's possible with his Bulwark to give your ADC an advantage against others while still allowing you to deal decent damage at the start of the game and his ultimate will still be useful late game.

Viable runes

Meditation: is a great mastery for Galio as it allows him to have increased mana regeneration. And because Galio can run out of mana fast if you spam his abilities.

Expanded mind: Is another great perk for Galio as it gives him more starting mana.

Runes

Runes

Greater Seal of Scaling Health9

Greater Glyph of Scaling Magic Resist9

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration9

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power3

9X I use this because it gives magic resist and works with your passive. This allows you to take more damage in lane and give more damage back.

9X Having magic penetration allows you to deal more damage in early game.

9X Extra health is always good and allows you to stay in lane longer. And because you are a melee champion this will help you to shake off pokes from your enemy.

3X This gives you flat ability power and gives you a strong early game

Viable Runes

9X This works for those pesky AD casters.

9X This gives you more ability power than if you go straight Magic resist glyphs. The downside though is you can't take as much damage from your opponent which can be a problem.

3X This is great for support Galio as it gives him gold all through the game and helps before you get a gold per 5 item.

Summoner Spells

Recommended

Ignite should be used on all mid characters. It gives them a damage over time and can secure a first blood

Flash is a wonderful spell. It can be used to engage and also to escape. It's viable on most characters also with Galio. It's probably one of the

Not Recommended spells

Clarity: Try not to use clarity if you can. It's viable as a starting spell but can be better replaced with others. Galio has a lot mana problems early that you must learn to deal with when you play him.The mana issues start to vanish late game with your items. If you don't learn to control your mana you can end up with a spot that could have been filled up with a better spell such as flash.

I don't use heal Galio because he has his own form of sustain with bulwark

Abilities

This is galio's passive. It is what makes Galio one of the best mid's in the game. This passive is what allows you to deal damage and make magic damage feel like a minion attack.

Resolute Smite - Galio fires a concussive blast from his eyes, slowing and dealing damage to enemies caught near the impact point.
Galio fires a concussive blast from his eyes, dealing 80/135/190/245/300 (+0.6) magic damage to enemies near the impact location, and reducing their movement speed by 24/28/32/36/40% for 2.5 seconds.
Cost: 60/65/70/75/80 Mana
Range: 940

This ability makes Galio very very scary. This is galio's main form of damage and poke. It's a powerful AOE and slowing spell that can be used for farming. Bulwark - Galio shields an ally Champion, increasing their Armor and Magic Resistance, and restoring Galio's health each time that Champion suffers damage.
Galio shields a friendly champion for 4 seconds, increasing their Armor and Magic Resistance by 30/45/60/75/90. Each time the unit suffers damage, Galio is healed for 25/40/55/70/85 (+0.3). (-20% healing for each consecutive hit)
Cost:60 Mana
Range: 800

This ability is used for fighting and healing. It's also a way to increase your damage output because of the increase to your magic resist. Use this to start your fights if you need to get close.

Righteous Gust - Galio claps his wings, unleashing a gust of concussive wind that damages enemies and leaves a directional draft in its wake that increases ally movement speed.
Galio unleashes a gust of concussive wind that deals 60/105/150/195/240 (+0.5) magic damage to all enemies in its path. A directional draft remains for 5 seconds, increasing the movement speed of allies passing through it by 20/28/36/44/52%.
Cost 70/75/80/85/90 Mana
Range: 1180

Use this as part two of farming combination. It doesn't deal a ton of damage. But the main purposes of this spell are to farm, chase, or escape. Idol of Durand - Galio assumes the form of a statue, taunting nearby enemies and storing concussive energy as they attack him. Galio then bursts from his statue shell, releasing the stored energy to damage surrounding foes.
Galio channels for 2 seconds, taunting nearby foes and blocking 50% of incoming damage.

This is galio's ult. It's a really great move for teamfights. It can change the tides of a game. It's a giant taunt that can be disrupted similar to a nunu ult. Characters who disrupt your ult are Nautilus, Lee Sin, Xin Zhao, Blitzcrank, and Alistar. If I find any more I will list them.

When to use your ult

when you can secure a kill with it.

In a teamfight

When you can save someone ie ADC

Gameplay

Lane phase:

First you need to start farming. Wait for the first minion to become low. If the enemy is near the first minion use your q. If he isn't just melee it. Continue this process until lvl 2. This is when you get your Bread and Butter combo. Use your resolute smite on the ranged minions and then follow up with Righteous Gust.Put another level into your Resolute Smite at level 3. By level 4 you can begin harassing the enemy champ. Then continue to farm and harass until lvl 6.

Harassing:

Use your Bulwark and begin to get close to your enemy. Then hit them with your Q and follow up with E. Back off when your shield has one second left. If they start to run away chase them with your E and Q. If they are low enough you can finish them with your Idol of Durand. Because it pulls them closer to you.

Mid game:

You can push your lane and then begin ganking. Remember to say what lane you are coming to and ping. Tell them when you are there and coordinate when is best. After ganking head back to your lane and continue farming and harassing until you see another chance to gank.

Late Game:

Stay with your team at all times. And fight as a team. If using your ult saves your team use it.

Scenarios

What if I'm getting ganked?

So remain calm at first and start to head back towards your tower. Try to use your Resolute Smite to slow the enemy with the most Crowd Control. Then use your Righteous Gust to speed yourself up. If you are about to die DON'T WASTE YOUR IGNITE. I have seen this happen so many times on even the best players.

What if "your going to die" should I run or fight?

If there is NO possibility of you escaping go down fighting. It might help your team avenge your death. You might be surprised and live to fight another day.

Opponents

Key for difficulty:EasyMediumHardImpossible

Champs

Ahri: pre six she is easy to wail on with your q and e combo. Then when she reaches lvl 6 she becomes a pain and will try to kite you. Try to shut her down early game and avoid her Orb of Deception

Akali: She is easy to beat pre 6. Just Resolute Smite in her shrowd. Once she reaches level 6 try to avoid being in range of her Mark of the Assassin she can try to burst you down with a bit of melee from it as well.

Anivia: She isn't very difficult to beat in any stage of game play. If you can get her into her egg with wasting your ult you can pull her in for a nasty surprise.

Annie: She has no long range stuns and her pokes can be blocked with your W. The only thing to worry about is her stun.

Brand : Brand is easy due to his passive Blaze just throw your shield on.

Casssiopeia: Similar to brand her attacks are poison based and can be blocked with Bulwark.

Cho'Gath: All Cho will want to do is farm. And because he is semi tanky similar to you it will be an even fight. Just be careful for his silence and farm to the best of your ability.

Diana: She has a lot of ability power. But, you have a ton of magic resist. Just be careful of her pulling you into a gank.

I haven't fought an Elise yet. I know she out ranges with a ridiculous auto attack to most champions though.

Evelynn: She is one of the toughest mids in my opinion for galio. She is very fast and can dodge your skill shots.

Fiddlesticks: he isn't very tough to beat pre 6. You only have to worry about his fear and ultimate move.

Fizz]: he is a tough opponent for almost all mid lane champions. He can dodge your q reduces your healing.

gragas: he isn't too tough of an opponent just dodge his barrels and you will beat him.

Heimerdinger: He's a pushover champion. Really easy to beat you can shoot over his turret range and out damage him.

Karthus: His Q is a painful move to dodge and his wall of pain will slow you down like crazy. Try to use your range to your advantage and don't push too far. Its possible to beat him by using Bulwark to heal off of his Lay Waste.

Kassadin: He isn't too hard to beat early game. But his post six could be trouble if he starts using W correctly.

Kennen: He is really fast and can deal insane damage. After using your ult he will try to use his. And his stun can be annoying.

Katarina: this is my mortal enemy. I started playing Galio because he counter's her really well. His ultimate unlike ammumu's ult, will stop her Death Lotus. You can even put bulwark on and take some of the damage.

Leblanc: She is another reason to play galio. She has a strong early game and becomes a glass cannon late game. You prevent her from getting kills and can beat her out of lane.

Lux: Her snares make her a pain to lane against. But you can out last her with your Clarity and deal more damage early game. And you don't fall off late game.

Malzahar: he is annoying for almost all characters. His silence will make you vulnerable to his Damage over time spell which can be blocked by Bulwark.

Mordekaiser: he is very easy to beat pre 6. He can't keep his shield up making him weak to poke. Post six he becomes a bit more annoying. But he can be beat with a well placed Q.

Morgana: she is Very Very good against galio. She can put down her snare that you can sit in and use your W. But it lowers your Magic resist a bit. Her spell shield can block your moves. Her snare allows for people to gank you. And she can use her ult after yours.

Nidalee: She is easy before she get her cougar. Then be weary for her cougar form while fighting.

Orianna:Her range is the only thing she has over you.

Ryze: He doesn't exactly build AP. all of his spells scale with mana so his damage is from mana. I'm not certain what kind of damage it is. I think it's magic byt im not certain. If you have the answer please write a comment.

Swain: Swain is really strong with his snares and can stay in lane forever. You can use your W on his Torment though.

Syndra I havent had a chance to fight one. I believe though she has more range. But, she is more mana hungry than you.

Talon: Your magic resist is useless because he is an AD champion. Try to farm and poke him. You can take some of the damage from his bleed by using your bulwark. Just don't push too hard. He can silence you and slow you as well.

Teemo: His poison can be blocked using your bulwark. Just try to land your Q to make the little hamster leave lane.

Twisted fate: He can out poke you and can stun you along with regening mana with his blue card. But, he is really squishy though.

Veigar: His damage is tiny compared to your magic resist.

Viktor: his damage isn't very strong. You can smack him around without getting too close as well.

Vladimir He doesn't have much damage as a champion. But he becomes tanky and has no need for mana. Also with his healing factor it will be tough to push him out of lane.

Xerath: His range is a killer. his locus of power can penetrate your magic resist so you need to dodge his shots and hit him when he is planted.

Zed: He is similar to talon in the fact that he doesn't deal magic damage. Just do your best to farm and lane. You can't really use your bulwark against him very well.

Ziggs: He is relatively tough as an opponent. He outranges you, doesn't have a damage over time to use bulwark on. And a global ultimate. My suggestion is to use bulwark on his minefield attack.

Zyra: she can be difficult to fight with her snare. But, you can use bulwark on her plants. After level 6 be careful for her ult and her death. Her death is true damage and can't be blocked and her ultimate will lift you into the air.

Support Galio

Your main goal as support galio to keep your carry alive at all costs!!! If you die but keep your carry alive he/she can farm. Also you can constantly harass them. Late game you can become a tanky galio in a sense but you deal almost no damage. You can put your bulwark on your champion to keep them alive in lane longer as well.

Good Lane partners:
Any ADC except teemo or twitch. It's hard to help if you move slow and they want to ambush opponents.

Why is Galio underplayed?

A long time ago Galio was given a nerf on his Resolute Smite and no one played him ever again. In all truth it doesn't really hurt galio as a character much at all. He still deals great damage and is really useful in teamfights. I believe Riot should change his description from tank melee support to mage,support,and tank. If people saw him labeled in that way I believe people would start playing Galio more often.Also on the free weeks his placed with champions who are more popular leaving Galio in the shadow of other champions who he PUBSTOMPS. Then people would see how good and balanced of a champ he is.

Summary

Overall Galio is an underplayed champion who needs to be brought into the spotlight. His damage is great and he can smash most painful mid champions. He is also very versatile allowing you to play different positions if needed. I hope you try Galio at least once or twice after reading this guide. I will be checking all of my guides and making corrections when a comment is posted. I hope this guide has helped.I will update this guide making it more detailed soon.

Change log

1/4/2013: changed summoner spells around for the different builds.
1/5/2013: changed opinion on clarity in summoner spells and has been put under Not Recommended.
1/5/2013: MOBAfire seems to be having difficulty processing the Runic Skin passive of galio
2/28/2013: removed tank/top Galio
3/1/2013 Edited coding and added explanations of why I use each rune.

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